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3 comments for “009: Carolyn – What about the children?”

David

October 19, 2008 at 9:18 pm

Carolyn,
I can relate to your story. I was active, held positions, and went on a mission. I was disfellowshipped from the church 20 years ago at BYU after a humiliating bishop’s court (on Valentines Day). I have learned to embrace myself and my gayness. It was a tough ride and I often wonder what my life would have been like if I felt love and acceptance in the church. Thank you for being so candid about your beliefs and experiences. Thank you for not being quiet!
David

Carolyn

November 1, 2008 at 5:02 pm

Dear David,

I am sorry about your harships that you had to endure at BYU. Thank you for thanking me for not being quiet. For too many years, I was. I can’t do it any more and it feels so good to tell people what has happened in my life.

I wish you the best of happiness.

Carolyn

Sheryl Beckett

November 9, 2008 at 4:23 pm

What a powerful story. I think I am adding your story to my list of required reading for church leaders and members. The other 3 are all from Carol Lynn Pearson (“Goodbye, I Love You,” “No More Goodbyes,” and “Facing East”). I am the mother of a gay son. He has 2 gay cousins and now I wonder about those unmarried great uncles of mine.

My son has not been excommunicated (only because he quit going to church), and up until Prop 8, was always proud to have been raised with the values he learned by being raised in the church (gosh he even played Joseph Smith in Temple Pageant in 1998). Now he said he might send a letter of resignation (of course there would be the court, but I doubt that he’d bother to go, unless he decided to speak his mind). And,personally, I see no reason he should remain a member of church that doesn’t want “his kind” contaminating their congregation. How wonderful that your mother made the suggestion that the two of you should leave that Sunday School class.